When Kaley Cuoco Sweeting had sinus surgery, she fielded some questions as to whether or not it was actually performed as a nose job. She told Ellen DeGeneres: "I had sinus surgery the day after Christmas, and it has been the worst surgery of my life. Very painful.... And on top of it, of course everyone thought I got a nose job, which is so funny because if you know me I would've told you I got a nose job. I'm not going to keep it a secret." But it turns out that there is actually a solid reason she had the surgery...and it's not what you might expect. She told Ellen: "I was actually really addicted to nose spray like Afrin.... Like for years. Like at awards shows I would have to pick out the right clutch to be able to fit my Afrin in it. And I’d be under the table like...snorting it. I’m surprised there were no photos of what I was snorting Afrin. And I couldn’t get enough, and it was such a problem. And I ruined my sinus. So I had to get it fixed." I have written about health for years, guys—I had no read more

Feeling like a grumpy Gus? (No judgment here! January is cold. And cranky. And hard.) Well, here's a reason to turn that frown upside down: Having an optimistic outlook on life may be good for your heart. Researchers at the University of Illinois found that people with an upbeat attitude seem to have twice the odds of having better cardiovascular health than those who do not. For the study, researchers examined the mental and physical health of more than 5,000 adults over the course of 11 years—along with their levels of self-reported optimism. They discovered that those qualifying as optimists had better cardiovascular health and more ideal cholesterol and blood-sugar levels than the Debbie Downers of the group. There also seemed to be a correlation with optimistic people and exercise, healthier BMIs, and lower rates of smoking. Other research has suggested that a positive attitude may reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. And, let's not forget the possible benefits of laughter (like protecting against heart disease, boosting immunity, and quelling stress). Looking at the glass as half full...hey, worth a try, right? I mean, what's there to lose? read more

Kale was the superfood in 2014...and it makes sense, right? It's packed with nutrients—fiber, vitamins A and C—but watch out, leafy green! MyFitnessPal (a free calorie tracker and nutrition database) ran some numbers and discovered that there may be a new superfood on the rise—along with some other interesting health and fitness trends, all put into a neat quiz. Take a look! I'm an unapologetic brussels sprouts fan, so I'm all over this upswing! What do you think of the results? read more

Hey, trying to get back into a regular healthy-eating and exercise routine after the holidays isn't exactly what one might call the easiest thing in the world to do. Actress/comedian/writer Rebecca Zamolo seconds that emotion—as you can see in "Legs Are Movin," a funny takeoff on Meghan Trainor's "Lips Are Movin" that she and her pals put together: Hee! What do you think? read more

Tough Mudder races add more challenges than you might find in your typical straight-course races: mud (but of course!), water, nets, slides, fire (!), and all sorts of other obstacles. This year, the organization—which creates races all around the world—is adding something new to the list. Tear gas. #TMInstaContest this weekend: #TMStrong. Upload a pic of how you were #TMStrong this year for your chance to win a 2015 ticket. A photo posted by Tough Mudder (@tough_mudder) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:33pm PST The soon-to-be-unveiled courses (Tough Mudder is revealing more surprises about which locations—as well as other new obstacles—next week) are reportedly going to include a portion that's currently called "Cry Baby"—essentially, a tent filled with tear gas (though apparently not as potent as the real kind of tear gas used in emergency situations). One racer got the chance to try out an early version of "Cry Baby" and told Sports Illustrated that it feels like "having Sriracha poured into every one of our tiny cuts and abrasions." Running a Tough Mudder has always been on my bucket list—and, even though the idea of having wounds doused in hot sauce isn't exactly the prettiest of notions, I think read more

Is there a juicer in your life? Someone who regularly "cleanses"? If so, I'll bet at least one of the phrases in this video sounds a wee bit familiar. That's right: It's "Sh*t Juicers Say". The video was made Pressed Juicery, which itself carries cold-pressed juices and one- to five-day cleanses—and the people behind it have clearly heard everything when it comes to juicers (and have a healthy sense of humor about it!). I laughed (and, um, it's possible I may have said one or two of these things at some point in my past...ha!). What did you think of the vid? read more

Adding more whole grains to your diet: Is it a do or a don't? According to new research, you just might be surprised. A study in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that, over time, eating things like oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and whole grains may actually tack on years to your lifespan. In fact, the research suggests that the risk of an early death may drop with each serving of whole grains that are added to your daily diet. Researchers delved in to two long-term health studies (going back to the 1980s) that involved more than 118,000 health professionals, in which participants filled out questionnaires about their diets every two to four years. Over the course of 26 years, one-third fewer people died among the group that ate the most whole grains, as opposed to those who ate the fewest amount of whole grains. Reasons for the possible correlation, say the researchers, might include the fact that whole grains are quite high in fiber, which can help slow digestion and prevent blood-sugar spikes. The fiber may also keep you feeling fuller, longer, decreasing the chance that you overeat and gain weight. Thoughts? read more

Photographer Benjamin Von Wong creates pictures like these—without Photoshop, without any fancy effects, and even without fitness models. Believe it or not, these are regular people doing their regular workouts. This guy makes everyone look like a badass—and it's an amazing reminder that exercising and taking care of your body really does make you a badass. Armed with nothing more than top-rate lighting equipment, a homemade rain machine, and a camera, Von Wong's work highlights the defined muscles and working bodies of his subjects—normal people, exercising as they usually do. Here's a behind-the-scenes look: Gorgeous. What do you think? read more

Every year, U.S. News & World Report compiles a list of the best diets, as judged by a panel of experts. Today it released its newest research...and there may be some surprises this time. Here are the top best overall diets (they've also delineated what are the easiest diets, best weight-loss diets, and much more—all worth checking out!): 1: DASH Diet DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension—which means it was developed to fight high blood pressure diet. But the panel of judges for U.S. News & World Report gave it high marks for delivering nutritional completeness, aiding in preventing and/or controlling diabetes, and giving heart health a boost. 2: TLC Diet Its full name is, technically, Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, which was created by the National Institutes of Health. The diet is meant to promote cardiovascular health by cutting back on saturated fat (such as fat-filled meats, fried foods, and dairy that's primarily whole-fat). 3: (tie)Mayo Clinic Diet This eating plan focuses on establishing lifelong healthy eating habits—you don't count calories, but make sure to increase your intake of fruits and veggies. 3 (tie): Mediterranean Diet Recent studies have shown that this diet's emphasis on fruits and vegetables, olive read more

There are definitely times that "working out" and "adorable" do not go hand in hand...but this is not one of them. Ellen DeGeneres spotted wife Portia de Rossi trying out a Jane Fonda workout video...and decided to film it and tweet it in secret: .@PortiadeRossi said I could watch her do her @JaneFonda workout. She didn't say anything about filming & tweeting it http://t.co/9d30nps3pN— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 4, 2015 But then Portia got her revenge (and...I don't know, Ellen, but she might have one-upped you here—although being able to full-belly sing while running is pretty rad): I got you back @theellenshow! Don't believe me? Just watch.
https://t.co/ERQqZbYrUz— Portia de Rossi (@portiaderossi) January 5, 2015 And, as you might have guessed, Ellen got in a very funny last word: You're pretty brave for someone who likes to do naked pilates. RT @PortiadeRossi: I got you back! Just watch.
https://t.co/vJZ0h5bYMm— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 5, 2015 Pretty cute, right? Do you and your significant other work out together or separately? read more

I loved this little weight-loss trick from Today this morning, when Joy Bauer gave Savannah Guthrie some New Year's nutrition advice. It turns out that making this one teeny little change to your sandwich or burger just a few times a year—even without any other diet changes—can result in seven pounds of weight loss. Look! Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy As Joy explains it, that extra slice of bread can tack on an additional 80 to 100 calories per serving. Leaving it off can add up quickly—and it's still as delish as before. Sandwich lovers, what do you think? Would you try yours open-faced? read more

Anyone who has been a smoker—or been close with someone who smokes regularly—knows how hard it is to quit. (According to the Centers for Diseases for Control and Prevention, nearly 69 percent of American adult smokers want to quit; still, there are an estimated 42.1 million smokers in the United States. But new research from the CDC may have some helpful info for those wanting to stamp out the cigs for good. The CDC's report—which surveyed more than 7,900 people—has found that smokers who turn to phone hotlines and online resources for tips, support, and guidance in quitting are more likely to step away from the cigarettes for at least 30 days, compared with those smokers who just do one or the other. The researchers suspect the layered approach can significantly increase the likelihood of smokers quitting, possibly because it means that they are fully committed to actually stop lighting up. Worth a try, right? read more

Last month, I told you lovelies that I was two weeks into the Whole30 (in a nutshell, you nix sugar, dairy, grains, beans, soy products, processed foods, and alcohol for a month, while also not stepping on the scale or watching TV/doing computer work while eating). And now I'm two weeks out—and, upon reflection (insert fancy raised pinky here), I think I've learned more than I expected I might. (Full disclosure: This pic is from Panera's "power" menu, because it is much, much prettier than any of the photos I took of my own recipes.) I am, in general, a pretty healthful eater: I forgo sugar, skip fast food, limit caffeine and alcohol, I eat tons of fruits and veggies, and I haven't had a soda since 2012. But! I'm also human. Embarking on something that knocks out several of my staples—namely, beans (I'm an unapologetic hummus and chickpea fan) and tortillas (I mean, I live in New Mexico, for heaven's sake)—for 30 days still felt like a huge feat...but I'm always up for a health challenge. And here's what I learned! 1: I look forward to cooking. Don't get me wrong; I've always loved dabbling with recipes. But this read more

Can you give up meat, eggs, and dairy for the entire 31 days of January? That's what Veganuary is hoping you'll do...and here's why. The husband-and-wife founders of the movement were inspired by Movember, when men skip shaving for a month in order to raise awareness for men's health issues. Their goal is a different one, of course: They want people to witness, firsthand, the benefits of going vegan. Healthwise, according to Veganuary, those benefits include cutting cholesterol levels, lowered blood pressure, and risk for heart disease, and also lower body weight. Consuming fewer animal products can also benefit the planet—using fewer resources, such as water and energy. And they also say that going vegan doesn't mean bypassing taste. The site has tons of animal-free recipes (we'll be posting some of our own this month too). Interesting idea, for sure! Could you be vegan—even for a month? read more

If you're one of the people who resolve to up their fitness and exercise game for the year on each and every January 1, you may also have experienced watching that resolution fall by the wayside in February. (If so, you're not alone—some research suggests that only 8 percent of resolution-makers achieve their goals.) So to give you a little more resolve for what you've resolved, experts from pain relief company Topical BioMedics and fitness trainers Laurie Towers and Elite-Ilit Ziegelman have these stick-to tips. You'll stay motivated if you pick a workout you actually like. Hating an exercise with a passion but resolving to do it daily in the new year will probably just make you hate it even more. So take a little tour of activities that are available—spin class, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, boxing, swimming, at-home free weights, walks around the neighborhood, online or DVD workouts—and zero in on what your most-loved exercise might be. Get your body used to exercising. Start slowly, be consistent, and work your way up to a more ambitious routine. Be realistic—and keep going. Remember that seeing (and feeling!) results takes time. But you will notice your body getting stronger—make sure to give read more

Just in case you're still getting your New Year's Eve menu together (procrastinators, unite!), here are a few ideas for some easy-to-serve dishes that aren't just tasty—they're also health(ier) than many of the usual suspects. Take a gander at these: Baked Avocado and Feta Egg Rolls Created by Kris Schoels of The Chic Wife For the egg rolls: 24 Nasoya Egg Roll Wraps 2 large avocados, chopped into bite-size pieces 4 tbsp. chopped sun-dried tomatoes 1/4 cup feta 1/2 tbsp. very finely diced garlic 2 tbsp. red onion, finely chopped Pinch salt and pepper Small bowl with water for sealing In a large mixing bowl, lightly stir together the chopped avocado, sun dried tomatoes, feta, garlic, red onion, salt, and pepper (take care to not smash the avocado pieces too much). Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Working one wrapper at a time, place 1 tablespoon of filling in the top third of the egg roll wrap. Brush the edges with water and roll like a burrito. Seal with more water. Place on a baking sheet and repeat until all of the filling has been used. Bake for 10 to 12 read more

One of the year's biggest nights for cocktails is just days away—and with it comes one of the year's biggest mornings for hangovers. And because we'd all rather start 2015 sans a pounding headache, here are some tips for doing just that from Austin Ali, developer of natural hangover remedy Tempo Tonight (which contains antioxidant-providing ingredients such as milkthistle, green tea extract, and prickly pear, all of which he says have potent anti-hangover benefits). DO stick with alcohols that are lighter in color. Why? Red wine and dark alcohols (like bourbon and whiskey) are higher in congeners—byproducts of alcohol—than white wine and spirits like vodka and gin. The presence of more congeners can result in more severe hangover symptoms, Ali says. DON'T mix different type of alcohols, such as beer and well drinks. It sounds like an old wives' tale, but, says Ali, there's some good truth behind it: Mixing alcohols increases the level of aforementioned congeners in your body, upping the chances for next-day nausea. DON'T hit that bottle of bubbly too hard. Carbonated beverages—beer, champagne—can actually speed up the rate that alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream, giving your body less time to metabolize it. The result: drunker, read more

I was browsing Reddit when I stumbled upon a picture from someone who had bought a bra that came with information about how to perform breast self-exams. Intriguing—and smart! I mean, we put on our bras every day (or almost every day...depending on the laziness of said day), which means a daily reminder to check for breast cancer. #regram it's a great day for boobs and bras! Let us know when you start spotting our labels in your bras! We hope it reminds you to check your boobies. #brahijack #coppafeel #lingerie #behaviourchange @gossarduk A photo posted by CoppaFeel! (@coppafeelpeople) on Dec 12, 2014 at 10:40am PST It turns out that the instructions (and built-in tags) are an initiative of CoppaFeel, a British nonprofit organization founded by Kris Hallenga when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 23 years old. Working with lingerie makers—such as Gossard, Lepel, and Curvy Kate—on "bra hijacks" is part of the organization's overall message: To check your breasts—and do it regularly. Neat idea, no? What do you think? read more